Executive Director, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute & Associate Dean, Research, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, UBC

The Office of Research, Faculty of Medicine (FoM) at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) invite applications for the concurrent positions of Executive Director, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) and Associate Dean, Research, VCHRI, FoM, UBC. The appointment is for an initial term of five (5) years with the possibility of renewal, subject to satisfactory review. The position is expected to be filled by a candidate internal to the University or VCH who currently holds a faculty position, normally at the rank of Professor or Clinical Professor. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2023, or upon a date to be mutually agreed.

This position is located within a health-care facility. Therefore, this position requires successful verification of full vaccination against Covid-19 to be provided prior to the start date, as required by the provincial health mandate.

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is one of BC’s regional health authorities, covering the city of Vancouver and the region from the City of Richmond in the south to Whistler and the Sea-to-Sky corridor in the north, and the Sunshine Coast to Powell River in the west. It also includes the Central Coast communities, including Bella Bella and Bella Coola. There are 14 First Nations located geographically in the VCH region. The majority of the current research activity within Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) occurs in Vancouver acute care sites at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH), UBC Hospital and GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre (GFS). There is also a growing research presence in Lion’s Gate Hospital and Richmond Hospital and in community sites across the region. Exciting new areas of research within VCH are led by the VCH Indigenous Health and Planetary Health teams. VCHRI has a mandate to facilitate and support innovation extending throughout the sites, services and diverse populations of the region and is committed to excellence in research and the integration of that research with the delivery of care.

The incumbent will be responsible for setting the Health Research strategy for VCHRI both in conjunction with senior leadership at VCH and working with the Vice Dean, Research and leadership of the other Health Authority Research Institutes for both defining and facilitating the health research strategy for the Faculty of Medicine and Province.   This position will play a pivotal role in the team effort of integrating and coordinating the health research effort within VCH, UBC FoM and partner universities.  The responsibilities of the position require the individual to work effectively with government and community partners to enable the integrated research vision.

The incumbent will be provided an office on the Vancouver Acute campus of VCH.

This position has multiple responsibilities and lines of reporting. As the Executive Director, VCHRI, the incumbent will report to the Vice President, Public Health and to the President and CEO of VCH. In the role as Associate Dean, Research, VCHRI for the FoM, this individual will report directly to the Vice Dean, Research of FoM and to the Dean of FoM and to the UBC Provost.

Candidates should have education and experience equivalent to a PhD and/or MD in a relevant discipline, and at least 10 years of experience in progressively more complex and senior leadership roles in large, research focused organization(s). Candidates should have a track record of significant research achievement, and hold a faculty appointment with the UBC FoM. The successful candidate will bring strong administrative and interpersonal skills to this position, and will have a broad knowledge of the health research environment in BC, nationally and internationally. They will have the vision and skills to enhance the position of VCHRI as one of Canada’s outstanding research institutes.

A more detailed job description is available in the Dean’s Office, Faculty of Medicine, for those who wish to review it. Please enquire at the email address below.

An application package should include a letter of application accompanied by a detailed curriculum vitae, evidence of effective leadership, demonstrated experience in fostering engagement across the working and learning environment, names of four references, no more than a 1-2-page vision document outlining a plan to enhance the vision and leadership of the Institute, up to five recent publications that you would consider representative of how your research relates to the Institute, and a brief statement (1-2 pages) that describes any current or planned engagements and contributions made to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in academic (research/scholarship, teaching/learning), professional (non-academic or clinical work), or community (local, national, international community-based) contexts. Applications should be directed to:

Dr. W. Robert McMaster, D. Phil
Vice Dean, Research
c/o Meredith Ladner
Room 317, IRC, UBC
2194 Health Sciences Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3

(email: Meredith.ladner@ubc.ca with subject line: Executive Director, VCHRI)

Review of applications will begin on April 24, 2023 and will continue until the position is filled.

Vancouver Coastal Health is a world class innovator in medical care, research and teaching, delivering service to more than one million BC residents. At VCH, we embrace thinking boldly, taking smart risks, and “going first” when we believe it will lead to the best possible outcomes for patients and their families. We invite you to join us in creating healthy lives in healthy communities by showcasing our passion for care, connection to the communities we serve and our culture of teamwork that makes VCH a great place to work.

Vancouver Coastal Health is committed to delivering exceptional care to 1.25 million people, including the First Nations, Métis and Inuit in our region, within the traditional territories of the Heiltsuk, Kitasoo-Xai’xais, Lil’wat, Musqueam, N’Quatqua, Nuxalk, Samahquam, shíshálh, Skatin, Squamish, Tla’amin, Tsleil-Waututh, Wuikinuxv, and Xa’xtsa.